Day of Remembrance Held at SRJC

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Thousands gathered at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Bailey Field to pay their respects to those who have perished in the fires and those who towards them to save others.

After an introduction by SRJC’s President Dr. Frank Chong, KSRO’s own Pat Kerrigan  MC’d the Remembrance introducing a wide range of speakers from first responders, to faith leaders, to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi who presented a flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington D.C.

“This Flag was flown over the United States Capitol in Remembrance of the lives tragically lost,” said Congresswoman Pelosi. “But it’s also flown in the recognition of the bravery and strength of our first responders.”

The flag was presented to Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner. Chief Gossner was also a featured speaker as he talked about his fire department efforts along with other first responders.

“The Reason we become firefighters, boil it down, we’re here to help people,” said Chief Gossner to the crowd. “To help save property, to help save lives, we want to make a difference.”

Another speaker was Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giodarno and while he did give much praise to the first responders and those working behind the scenes such as dispatchers, he started off thanking the community around him.

“I have never seen a team come together like it has in this event,” said Sheriff Giodarno. “I don’t mean just the people that get paid to do it, I mean the community, the first responders, agencies from up and down the state; this was amazing to me to see it run and see how well it worked.”

After the speakers, the Fire Department Bell Ceremony took place with a ringing of the bell 42 times in remembrance of those 42 who lost their lives in the North Bay Wildfires. It was followed by the playing of Amazing grace also by members of the Fire Department.

The Remembrance also featured performces by the SRJC Choir singing “Unclouded Day,” the Transcendence Theater Company singing several song including “Lean on Me” written  by Bill Withers, and a poem read by Vincente Reyes of Mart West Charter School.

While a solemn event, it was not without looking ahead to future

“We’ll get through this but the next couple of years are going to be tough.” Sheriff Giordano said in his closing remarks. “It’s all going to be about team work and I’m absolutely confident, after seeing what we can do. So, I’ll leave you with two things: Calm is contagious and as a team, that’s why we’re Sonoma Strong.”